Margaret Wild

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature. Her books are published around the world and have won numerous awards.

From Margaret'[When I worked for a wage] my writing was done in snatches, or at night when I wasn't too tired. Once I turned to writing full-time I felt ready to attempt much longer books for older readers. In 2001 my first young adult novel, Jinx, was published. It was a new challenge for me - all those words! - but I also had a feeling of freedom as I could write about subjects that are not suitable for younger readers. However, as I have a baby grandson, I am seeing the world through his eyes, so I am still enjoying writing books for the very young as well.

'I work at a desk in my bedroom, because from my window I can see two bridges, reflections in the bay, sparrows on the telephone line, and city buildings in the distance. I like having my bed so close-by - if I get stuck when I'm writing, I simply have a bit of a lie down, and somehow the problems sort themselves out. On the wall near my desk, I have one of Ron Brooks' beautiful, tender pictures from Rosie and Tortoise. I love looking at it, and it inspires me to keep on trying to write better.

'Although I mainly work on computer, I always carry a small notebook wherever I go. I jot down ideas, images, bits of stories. I hardly ever refer back to my notebooks, but writing things down helps to fix them in my memory.

'I feel very lucky to be a writer. As long as I have pen and paper, I can write anywhere, anytime - for me, it's the best job in the world.'

If you could live a different version of your life, would you take the chance? From the award-winning author Margaret Wild, this spellbinding story places two young women at the turning point in their lives, and each must choose to accept the life she has, or to leap into one she might yet live.

This arresting and beautiful picture book from Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks is a shimmering encounter with the Tasmanian tiger, a lament for a lost species, and a compelling evocation of the place of animals in Nature.

;A fearless novel - tough, tender and deeply moving - about the journey towards love and meaning in the lives of four young people struggling to find their place in complicated families and fragile communities. Margaret Wild's writing has the intensity and resonance of fine poetry, the ease and accessibility of good prose. For teenagers and adults.;